Black Hebrew Israelites
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Black Hebrew Israelites (also Black Hebrews, African Hebrew Israelites and Hebrew Israelites) are groups of people of African ancestry situated mostly in the United States who claim to be descendants of the ancient Israelites.[1][2] They believe that many Africans, as well members of the African Diaspora in places such as South America and the Caribbean, are also descended from the Israelites.
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[edit] Origins
Adherents of African American and African Caribbean Christianity had long developed a comparison of their experience in the New World with that of the Israelites held in slavery in Egypt, particularly as regards the Book of Exodus. From the mid-18th century a metaphorical embrace of a Hebrew identity was a major element of New World African spirituality. In 1800 members of Gabriel's slave conspiracy in Virginia identified themselves with the Israelites of the Old Testament, as did members of Denmark Vesey's failed rebellion of 1822.[3][4] Later in the 19th century an identification as ancient Hebrews developed from an identification with them.
[edit] Groups
[edit] The Black Jews of Harlem
In 1919, Wentworth Arthur Matthew, founded the Commandment Keepers Congregation in Harlem. He was heavily influenced by the white Jews he met, and when he learnt about the Beta Israel, he began to identify with them.[5] Matthew trained rabbis, who set up synagogues throughout the United States and the Caribbean. When, interviewed, many of the older members of this community recall memories of their parents observing Jewish dietary laws, such as abstaining from pork or salting their meat. The group was heavily influenced by the philosophy of Marcus Garvey. Wentworth Matthew believed that black Jews were the original Jews, but white Jews had kept and preserved Judaism. Matthew, however, never denied the legitimacy of the white Jews.[2] The group observed Jewish holidays, Passover being the most important, and elements of Christianity are retained, including footwashing, healing and gospel hymns.[5]
Wentworth Mathew was a close associate of Arnold Josiah Ford. Arnold Ford was the choirmaster for Marcus Garvey, director of the Universal Negro Improvement Association. Ford tried, but failed to convince Garvey to convert to Judaism, and in 1923, Ford was expelled from the organization. Soon after, he founded the Beth B'nai Abraham congregation. Facing financial problems, he turned the organization over to Wentworth Matthew in 1930.[5]
[edit] Church of the Living God, the Pillar Ground of Truth for All Nations
F. S. Cherry founded a Black Jewish movement called the Church of the Living God in Chattanooga in 1886. It moved to Philadelphia in 1915. Theologically it mixed Judaism and Christianity, counting both the Jewish Bible and the Talmud as essential scriptures. Many Jewish practices and prohibitions were observed by Cherry’s flock. The movement has been reported to survive under the leadership of Cherry’s son, but little information about it has been disseminated.[6]
[edit] Church of God and Saints of Christ
The Church of God and Saints of Christ is a Black Hebrew Israelite religious congregation organized in 1896 by William Saunders Crowdy. They claim to be the oldest African-American congregation in the United States that adheres to the tenets of Judaism. The members of this congregation also believe they are descendants of the “lost tribes of Israel.” Its Judaism was evidenced by the circumcision of newborn boys, use of the Hebrew calendar, wearing of skullcaps, observance of Saturday as the Sabbath, and celebration of Passover.[6] Their doctrine includes the beliefs that God exists, he is one, beside him there is no other, and they acknowledge him by loving him, as Deuteronomy 6:5 reads, "with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our might." The Ten Commandments form the core of their ethical beliefs. In 1906, Crowdy passed his leadership to three successors: Chief Joseph W. Crowdy, Bishop William H. Plummer, and Counselor Calvin S. Skinner. Skinner consecrated for leadership Rabbi Howard Z. Plummer, who prior to his demise ordained Rabbi Levi S. Plummer. Since 2001, the congregation has been led by Rabbi Jehu A. Crowdy, Jr. It has its headquarters in Belleville (Suffolk), Virginia, with tabernacles across the United States, Jamaica, and Africa.[7]
[edit] African Hebrew Israelites of Jerusalem
The African Hebrew Israelites of Jerusalem (known in Israel as the Black Hebrews) is a small spiritual group whose members believe they are descended from the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel. With a population of over 2,000, most members live in their own community in Dimona, Israel. The Black Hebrews practice polygyny and adhere to a strict vegan diet as part of a complete holistic lifestyle.[8]
[edit] Israelite Church of GOD in Jesus Christ
Perhaps one of the most widespread and powerful groups, the ICGJC evolved and grew over 40 years. The group was founded by Abba Bivens in 1960s Harlem. It was originally called the Israeli School of Universal Practical Knowledge (ISUPK), but later changed its name to the Israeli Church of Universal Practical Knowledge (ICUPK) as part of a plan to attain tax exemption status, though some splinter groups still call themselves ISUPK. The use of the word "Israeli" rather than "Israelite" was confusing to many believers and non-believers (as members were also adamant about distinguishing themselves from the Jewish people in Israel), so they eventually changed their name to the Israelite Church of GOD in Jesus Christ (ICGJC). The basic doctrine of the ICGJC is that Blacks are a master race superior to all peoples, and the World was created only for Black Israelites. They preach that God loves only black Israelites and that there is no room on this planet for people they deem undesirable, a list which includes Caucasians, East Indians, Homosexuals, Arabs, and Asians.
Unlike other BHI groups, ICGJC is also open to Native Americans, who are Israelites according to their interpretation of the Bible. They also teach that West Indians, Cubans, Seminole Indians, Argentineans, Chileans, Colombians, Uruguayans, Panamanians, and Mexicans are of the 12 Tribes of Israel too.
One of its practices is the belief that "as long as you hear the word and believe the word of GOD you are an Israelite," and the church professes that Israelites are scattered throughout the world. In their communications, the group calls itself "The Israelite Church of GOD in Jesus Christ" and capitalizes the word "God" in their name as "GOD"; they teach that Jesus Christ is God.
Various "splinter" groups claim to teach the same things, but can be very loosely grouped together. The church also teaches that these groups are fulfilling scripture according to 1 John 2:18-23. Their leader is a young man named Tazadaqyah; they teach that he is the "comforter"; the spirit of Christ on earth. Only following him can you get the kingdom of heaven. The Israelite Church of God in Jesus Christ also advocates a King James Version-only approach to the Bible (i.e., they only endorse the KJV as scripture). Their teachings reveal that the white people are Edomites and a devil race whose primary goal is destruction of the world. The teachings also say that whites invented homosexuality and other sexual perversions to help destroy the world (other so-called "Black Israelite" rebel sects declare white people to be descendants of Japhet, but the Israelite Church denies this statement), and speak לשון קודש, "Lashawan Qawadash" ("[The] Holy Tongue," which has no systematic grammar, and is merely composed of a few conversational Hebrew expressions, spoken in a thick American accent, without any vowels except 'a' and 'i' -- the group alleges that an 'Edomite [i.e., Jewish] Conspiracy' devised diacritical marks in order to corrupt it). The Israelites can be seen preaching on the streets of many American cities. They also produce a television show called "The Hidden Truth," which is aired on cable public access stations throughout the United States. Websites endorsing the community include the holy conception unit and ICGJCMD
[edit] Criticism
Because their faith excludes certain ethnic groups some Black Hebrew Israelite groups have been accused of racism and of being "in some ways mirror images of the Christian Identity groups."[9] Some offshoot sects such as Nation of Yahweh and websites like Israelite Herigate and Christian Israelite Network claim that European Jews are not descendents of Israelites, but of Edomites and Khazars who more recently converted to Judaism.[10][11] The Anti-Defamation League has criticized the Nation of Yahweh and sects of the African Hebrew Israelite Nation of Jerusalem, stating, "In 1987, ADL reported on Black sects holding these views, such as the Yahwehs and the Original African Hebrew Israelite Nation of Jerusalem. Today, this form of Black supremacy is promoted on the Web by the 12 Tribes of Israel site, which cites hundreds of Biblical passages to prove that Blacks are the children of Israel and whites the Satanic offspring of Esau."[12]
[edit] See also
- Church of God and Saints of Christ
- African Hebrew Israelite Nation of Jerusalem
- Jews and Judaism in the African diaspora
- Nation of Yahweh
[edit] References
- ^ Ben-Jochannan, Yosef (1993). We the Black Jews. Black Classic Press. ISBN 0933121407. p. 306
- ^ a b Ben Levy, Sholomo. The Black Jewish or Hebrew Israelite Community. Retrieved on 2007-12-15.
- ^ Gabriel Prosser. AfricaWithin.com (2001). Retrieved on 2007-10-19.
- ^ Denmark Vesey. AfricaWithin.com (2001). Retrieved on 2007-10-19.
- ^ a b c Holzinger, Kay. Black Jews. Retrieved on 2007-12-16.
- ^ a b Angell, Stephen W. (Spring 2001). "Black Zion: African American Religious Encounters with Judaism". The North Star 4 (2). University of Rochester. ISSN 1094-902X. Retrieved on 2007-10-19.
- ^ Church of God and Saints of Christ. Church of God and Saints of Christ. Retrieved on 2007-10-18.
- ^ African Hebrew Israliets of Jerusalem. Retrieved on 2007-10-18.
- ^ Radford, Benjamin (2004-02-13). Hating in the Name of God. Retrieved on 2007-10-18.
- ^ The Mission and Duty of the Ashkenazi Jews. Israelite Heritage (1999).
- ^ Dear Friends, Send This Appeal For Truth To The World!!!. Christian Israelite Network. Retrieved on 2007-10-18.
- ^ African-American Anti-Semitism. Anti-Defamation League. Retrieved on 2007-10-18.
[edit] External links
- 12 Tribes of Israel
- The Gospel: Raw, Uncut & Unheard!
- The Hebrew Israelite Story
- Church of God and Saints of Christ
- Israelite Heritage
- http://mountcarmelforyah.blogspot.com
- Hebrew or the So-Called Negro DVD
[edit] Video
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